Top Ten Things to Do and See (outside of London)

Here is a list of the top ten things to do outside of London. The list comprises some of the most iconic sights around the UK. Of course there are many more places to visit and see but these are places that I would visit time and time again as many tourists do.

1. Windsor Castle - The Queens favourite home is located in Windsor and where she still spends most of her weekends. The castle itself sits high up overlooking the Thames and is probably best reached by train as it is just a short walk to the castle from the train station. The cost to enter the castle is approximately £14.50 for a full price ticket but if you register at the same time this permits you to re-enter the castle as many times as you like in that year. The castle itself covers an area of 13 acres and has been a royal home for nearly 950years. Some highlights of the castle are:

• The State Apartments - which are extremely grand ceremonial rooms 
• The Semi State Rooms Because they either overlook the Queen's private apartments, or they are in use for annual ceremonial events, these rooms are not always open.
• The amazing Art collection with royal family portraits by Holbein, Rubens and Van Dyke.
• St. George's Chapel - here the Duke and Duchess of Windsor are buried along with 10 other sovereigns.
• Queen Mary's Doll House - An amazing miniature collection of works of art, book and music manuscripts.

2. The Roman Baths and Pump Room in Bath - situated in the heart of the beautiful Roman city of Bath this is a wonderful place to spend a morning or an afternoon. Wander around the remarkable remains of these baths and spa. In the summer this is a hugely popular attraction made even more so on a lovely summers day. These baths are considered to be one of the best preserved religious spas in the world.

3. The Royal Pavilion in Brighton - this Regency Palace was the sea-side home for King George IV and was letter used by Queen Victoria. It was the architect, John Nash, during the 19th Century who created this amazing palace - the exterior is amazing with influences from India and China. The Palace is located in Brighton, on the south coast of England, which is just 30 minutes by train from London.

4. Hadrian's Wall - Towards the end of the reign of the Roman Empire, the Romans built a huge defensive wall, stretching right across the North of Britain, from Carlisle to Newcastle-on-Tyne. The wall was built to stop the Picts, from Scotland, invading England. Remnants of this amazing wall still exist covering some 73 miles and often used to create stone fences and the cobbles in stable courtyards today.

5. St.Ives in Cornwall - Cornwall, situated in the south-west of England is home to wide sandy beaches and dramatic cliffs and caves. St.Ives is a beautiful coastal fishing village, with steep cobbled lanes, wonderful craft shops and a climate considered to be one of the mildest in the UK. St.Ives is home to some of the best artists in the area drawn here to paint the wonderful harbour scenes. Even the famous Tate Gallery has its won art gallery here called Tate St.Ives.

6. Snowdonia - Snowdonia National Park is located in North Wales and has some of the most amazing mountain walks, as well as more gentle walks, great cycling routes, offers riding and pony trekking and is all set against the dramatic backdrop of the Snowdonia Mountains.

7. Edinburgh Castle - located high above the city of Edinburgh and seen from mile around. The castle is host to many events during the year but none more famous perhaps than the Edinburgh Military Tattoo which is a colourful collection of marching bands, bagpipes, horses and tartan held every August. Of course the castle is a centrepiece of New Year celebrations with fireworks lighting up the skies above the
castle at midnight.

8. Stonehenge - perhaps the most iconic site in England. The circle of huge stones has kept the best historians guessing for hundred of years and will continue to do so. Stonehenge is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and access is controlled to protect the stones for years to come. Each Summer Solstice thousands turn up to celebrate the sunrise.

9. Ironbridge - The Iron Bridge which spans the Severn Gorge in Ironbridge, in Shropshire, is hugely popular with families and those interested in the beginnings of early industry. At the Iron Bridge Gorge UNESCO World Heritage Site there are 10 museums which span the 80 acres.

10. Giants Causeway - located in Coleraine on Ireland's beautiful coast the amazing Giants Causeway has been given the title the 8th Wonder of the World. Thousands of visitors come here every year to marvel at the intriguing rock formations which scientists have puzzled over for years.

For more information on things to do in the UK and places to stay - see www.myUKbreak.com